Posted by Greg Barteluk on December 1, 2008 at 7:14 PM
I'm not a Nikon shooter, but like most NPN members I'm generally interested in all new gear. Here's a link to a Nikon pundit's thoughts about this new and very expensive body that some might find interesting.
At about $9,000 CDN there won't be one under my Christmas tree. There are comparisons on the net to the Canon and SONY cameras of similar pixel size. Most seem to feel the price is to high without the features to justify it.
Given the rate prices are dropping in the digital world, while I had been waiting for this body, in this economy I'll wait a bit.
Posted by Bill Chambers on December 2, 2008 at 10:39 AM
Interesting writeup. Although it appears to be a fantastic body, I think the price tag is ridiculously high given the only major change from the D3 is strictly MPs. I hope to see the market and economy drive the prices down to where they should be.
Posted by Ken Smith on December 2, 2008 at 12:23 PM
Interesting...it appears more pixels w/less isolation and less insulation surrounding each pixel cell...its sensitivity at higher ISO's, unlike the D3 & D700, will result in unacceptable noise. Testing will confirm. Looks like a great landscape camera...built to last. But not attractive at three times (3X ?) the dollars to be competitive with 5DII. Time to wait for the D700x version and discount price.
Posted by Brad Hill on December 2, 2008 at 12:28 PM
Hi Greg,
I posted similar (tho' not nearly as extensive) thoughts to Thom on my blog. A few comments:
1. The price is simply far too high. I have no doubt it will be a great camera and I am in the market for a high-resolution solution, but I won't be buying the D3x at the current price.
2. Given how Nikon followed the D3 up with the "almost a D3" D700 only months later, there will be a large number of shooters who will be expecting the same two-step introduction again. And, given Nikon's penchant for liking to use the same sensor on multiple cameras (which is logical), it is likely they WILL do it again.
3. The other potentially interesting hi-resolution solution (besides Canon) is the coming Leica S2, but at this point there is very little solid information about it (lots of marketing buzzwords, but no sample images, and no real details). It is assumed that the higher-res Leica (37.5 MP) will be priced dramatically higher than the D3x, but at this point there is nothing firm on pricing. Expect much more info on the S2 by late February or early spring.
4. So...MY best course of action right now is to sit and wait for...the D3x price drop...or the announcement of the D700x/D800/D900...or more details on the Leica S2.
This is the first time in a long time where passing on buying a new Nikon flagship (even temporarily) is of benefit to my business (or at least can be done with no harm to my business).
Now...if either Nikon or Leica decided they wanted to GIVE me one of their cameras everything would change !
Cheers...
Brad
Posted by Keith Anderson on December 6, 2008 at 10:11 PM
Sort of funny reading all the negatives about a camera that is estimated to be the same price as when the 1Ds MKIII came out. I think DPReview still has the price of the 1DS MKIII start price as being $9999.00US. Of course a year later it is no where near that price.
While the 5DMKII is a lot cheaper so is the build quality and the A900 again while better than the 5D MKII in build is no where near the D3. The D3x is Nikons answer to the 1Ds MKIII and while may start at a higher price in a couple of months I would expect as all Nikons bodies it will drop in price.
As for the Leica S2, my Leica rep here in Australia expect a $40,000 body price tag. MMM D3x doesn't look that bad after all
Posted by Steve Foss on December 6, 2008 at 10:22 PM
If you can't be with the one you love, love the one you're with.
None of the cameras mentioned will make any of us better photographers. Eye, mind, heart, soul. When Canon, Nikon, Sony or any of them can capture all those in a pixel, I'll bow down and worship at their altar.
Until then, onward toward art!
Posted by Jerry Greer on December 7, 2008 at 11:44 AM
Keith,
There's really not that big of a difference in build quality between the cameras when it come to the 5DII, 1DsIII, A-900, D3 or D3x. All are magnesium-alloy construction with the 1DsIII and the D3x holding a 300,000 cycle shutter, the 5DII a 150,000 and the Sony a 100,000. All 5 of the cameras are weather sealed, although the 5D and A900 not as much. I've never had an issue with my 5D in the rain, snow or fog so no issue for me! As for the retail of the 1DsIII and the D3x, there both $7,999, not sure where DPreview is getting $10,000. The Sony looks to be the only one lacking but only in features and lens choices (that'll change over time). The way I see it, for a landscape shooter, the 5DII or the Sony A900 is the camera! The image quality is outstanding with more than enough features, all one needs is a good metering system. For sports or wildlife, I'm not sure that I'd look at any of these camera. I'd look at the 1DIII or the 50D for sure.
Discussion
7 replieshttp://www.bythom.com/nikond3xcomments.htm
At about $9,000 CDN there won't be one under my Christmas tree. There are comparisons on the net to the Canon and SONY cameras of similar pixel size. Most seem to feel the price is to high without the features to justify it.
Given the rate prices are dropping in the digital world, while I had been waiting for this body, in this economy I'll wait a bit.
I posted similar (tho' not nearly as extensive) thoughts to Thom on my blog. A few comments:
1. The price is simply far too high. I have no doubt it will be a great camera and I am in the market for a high-resolution solution, but I won't be buying the D3x at the current price.
2. Given how Nikon followed the D3 up with the "almost a D3" D700 only months later, there will be a large number of shooters who will be expecting the same two-step introduction again. And, given Nikon's penchant for liking to use the same sensor on multiple cameras (which is logical), it is likely they WILL do it again.
3. The other potentially interesting hi-resolution solution (besides Canon) is the coming Leica S2, but at this point there is very little solid information about it (lots of marketing buzzwords, but no sample images, and no real details). It is assumed that the higher-res Leica (37.5 MP) will be priced dramatically higher than the D3x, but at this point there is nothing firm on pricing. Expect much more info on the S2 by late February or early spring.
4. So...MY best course of action right now is to sit and wait for...the D3x price drop...or the announcement of the D700x/D800/D900...or more details on the Leica S2.
This is the first time in a long time where passing on buying a new Nikon flagship (even temporarily) is of benefit to my business (or at least can be done with no harm to my business).
Now...if either Nikon or Leica decided they wanted to GIVE me one of their cameras everything would change
Cheers...
Brad
While the 5DMKII is a lot cheaper so is the build quality and the A900 again while better than the 5D MKII in build is no where near the D3. The D3x is Nikons answer to the 1Ds MKIII and while may start at a higher price in a couple of months I would expect as all Nikons bodies it will drop in price.
As for the Leica S2, my Leica rep here in Australia expect a $40,000 body price tag. MMM D3x doesn't look that bad after all
None of the cameras mentioned will make any of us better photographers. Eye, mind, heart, soul. When Canon, Nikon, Sony or any of them can capture all those in a pixel, I'll bow down and worship at their altar.
Until then, onward toward art!
There's really not that big of a difference in build quality between the cameras when it come to the 5DII, 1DsIII, A-900, D3 or D3x. All are magnesium-alloy construction with the 1DsIII and the D3x holding a 300,000 cycle shutter, the 5DII a 150,000 and the Sony a 100,000. All 5 of the cameras are weather sealed, although the 5D and A900 not as much. I've never had an issue with my 5D in the rain, snow or fog so no issue for me! As for the retail of the 1DsIII and the D3x, there both $7,999, not sure where DPreview is getting $10,000. The Sony looks to be the only one lacking but only in features and lens choices (that'll change over time). The way I see it, for a landscape shooter, the 5DII or the Sony A900 is the camera! The image quality is outstanding with more than enough features, all one needs is a good metering system. For sports or wildlife, I'm not sure that I'd look at any of these camera. I'd look at the 1DIII or the 50D for sure.